Bead Peeps Swap N Hop - Info for my partner and other ramblings

I am so excited!

I got my partner this week - Catherine (Cat) La Vite of Dry Gulch Beads! She works with her family at their bead store - they have an  Etsy Store and a fantastic Blog! Please check them out!

And here are my answers for the Partner Intro

1. Why or how did you get started making Jewelry? - I got started as a youngster (11 or 12ish) as a means to get me to keep still for long periods of time while going through medical procedures. It started with putting seed beads on strings. Now its a pretty much full time obsession. I also love hoarding things so - match made in heaven!

2. What style(s) of jewelry do you like to make? I like incorporating nature as much as I can into my beadwork. My style varies though depending on my mood. I like to make things that go with something I am going to be wearing or things for special events (Holiday parties, the Renaissance Faire, etc.) I love just about everything vintage (Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Victorian, Edwardian) and historical (especially Ancient Egypt and Rome and the Renaissance.)

Here are a few examples (these are my favorite pieces to date)

The Porcelain Snowy owl is by Artist Laura Mears. This was a struggle for me since it is only shades of black, white and gray. No "colors" at all.


I made this bracelet last year for the Endless Sky Challenge, it is the one I wear the most
The owl clasp is from Green Girl Studios.



I made these earrings last year for the Festival Lights Challenge, I even helped a friend make a similar pair (in her favorite colors, not pictured)


And I really am enjoying the necklace I am making with the Cloud Bridge Challenge beads...its not done yet, however, I will post them when it is :)

3. What materials do you prefer to use (and which ones do you avoid)? I love using vintage beads and findings, gemstones and natural beads, czech glass, swarovski crystals, Vintaj Brass, Copper, Arte Metal and Pewter, silk ribbons, leather, and patina paints. I don't like plastic unless it is vintage lucite. I prefer smaller beads (10mm or less), I have a hard time figuring out chunky beads.

4. What techniques do you prefer (and are there any you don't like)? I like stringing, wirework, and bead embroidery. I can't weave beads or figure out kumihimo to save my life - I will leave those to the experts out there!

5. What colors do you use most and which do you run screaming from? I love earth and jewel tones (brown, emerald, blue, aqua, purple, burgundy), not a fan of brights or pastels (warming up to pastels...still a little afraid of them) and I run screaming from Red, Orange, and Yellow (learning to love them in very small tiny itty bitty increments.)

And other random things...
I love to read. I am a birder, I love hiking, fishing, and camping. I live in the Pacific Northwest and I am inspired by the awesome natural areas here. We have 2 major mountain ranges (Cascades and Olympics), the Sound, the Ocean and Eastern Wa which is desert.

A few of my favorite places here in Washington:

Coal Creek Falls, Issaquah WA


Yakima River Valley, Yakima WA


Rock formations, Umptanum trail. Yakima WA


Fort Casey Lighthouse, Whidbey Island, WA


Doe and Fawn, Whidbey Island, WA


I am super new to using Facebook but it has become a fun place to meet fellow beaders. I am super happy I came across the Swap N Hop! Thank you Linda Anderson for allowing me to join your group :)